IU finishes 11th out of 16 in Puerto Rican invitational

Despite some strong individual performances, the IU women’s golf team placed a disappointing 11th in a 16-team field in the Lady Puerto Rico Classic in San Juan, Puerto Rico this weekend.\nIU coach Clint Wallman was pleased with the performance but thinks the Hoosiers have some things to work on also.\n“We did some good things,” Wallman said. “However we have some areas to improve and this tournament gave us a good barometer for where we are at.”\nLeading the way for the Hoosiers was freshman Laura Nochta, who tied for 33rd place, and junior transfer Lauren Harling, who tied for 48th in her first tournament as a Hoosier.\nWallman had praises for both individuals’ play.\n“Lauren (Harling) played a good tournament for her first time and gave us two good rounds, while Laura (Nochta) battled illness so I was especially pleased with her finish.”\nAlso competing for the Hoosiers were freshman Anita Gahir, who tied for 52nd, freshman Kellye Belcher and junior Elaine Harris, who placed 55th and 68th, respectively. \nAuburn won the tournament, while Georgia, Oklahoma State, rival and host Purdue and South Carolina rounded out the top 5. \nWallman said he was not upset the team did not play as well as they did in the fall.\n“We are playing a stronger field now and I think we’ll improve as we’re out on the golf course more,” he said. \nThe Hoosiers’ next competition is March 12 when they travel to Las Vegas to compete in the UNLV Spring Invitational.